Portret van een vrouw met pareloorbellen c. 1829 - 1834

Lambertus Antonius Claessens created this portrait print of a woman with pearl earrings sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The work provides insight into the social and cultural values of the time. We can see that this artwork creates meaning through its visual codes and cultural references. The woman's attire and jewelry indicate her social standing and economic status in the Netherlands. Her calm and composed demeanor suggests the virtues expected of women in that era, which was at the end of the Dutch Golden Age. Engravings such as this were important for the development of a public art sphere. Prints like this would have made art accessible to a wider audience, outside of elite circles. Understanding this artwork requires considering the social conditions that shaped its production and reception. By studying historical documents and cultural artifacts, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the role of art in reflecting and shaping social norms.